UAE: The manufacturer has signed a contract with the Etihad Rail national operator worth more than $250 mln USD with the possibility of exercising an option and increasing the order amount to $310 mln. None of the parties discloses the number of cars to be delivered. The order also includes the maintenance of trains, but its term is not specified. This is the first CAF contract for the supply of rolling stock to the country.
In addition to the maximum speed, the passenger capacity of more than 400 people is also known. It is stated that the cars will be divided into three classes (first, business and economy) ant they will be equipped with powerful air conditioning systems. The new vehicles will be produced in Spain and are planned to be put into operation on a future 145 km line that will connect 11 major cities in the UAE.
The interior of the train, which is planned to run on a 145 km line connecting 11 major cities in the UAE. Source: Etihad Rail
The construction of the line and the purchase of trains are being carried out as part of the $13.6 bln USD program for the development of the UAE railways, which was announced in December last year. The program is to develop freight and passenger transportation, including the construction of a 1,200 km railway network. It is stated that the travel time from Abu Dhabi to Dubai will be 50 min, and to Fujairah – 100 min. The annual passenger traffic over 36.5 mln people a year is expected by 2030.
In mid-June, Etihad Rail reported that deliveries under two contracts were being completed. The first includes the supply of 38 diesel locomotives with a capacity of 3.3 MW by Progress Rail. Specially for the UAE, the producer developed the EMD SD70ACS modification based on the serial platform of the EMD SD70AC diesel freight locomotive. It is designed for operation at high temperatures (up to +50 °С) and air humidity. Also, the locomotive is equipped with an air filtration system capable of filtering sand from the air intake device.
Production of the final locomotive by Progress Rail under contract for Etihad Rail. Source: Progress Rail
The second contract includes the delivery of 842 freight cars produced by CRRC. Three types of freight wagons are delivered to the UAE. These are articulated wagons with a carrying capacity of 400 t, hopper wagons with a carrying capacity of 100 t, as well as flatcars with a carrying capacity of 95 t.
